Traverse City Dining Guide: Restaurants, Wineries & Breweries [Updated 2024]
As long-time Traverse City residents, we have been dining in the area long before we opened Traverse City Vacation Cottages in 1989. Traverse City is truly a foodie town! With so many great options to choose from, we have highlighted some of our favorites in the article below. You can also check out our family-owned cottage rentals here!
You can view a comprehensive list of Traverse City restaurants here.
Restaurants Near our Lakefront Cottages on Silver Lake:
Boone’s Long Lake Inn: For locals and visitors alike, this is hands down one of the best restaurants in Traverse City. Enjoy legendary steaks, seafood & more!
Mulligan’s: Delicious pub fare with a variety of options. Located at The Crown Golf Club.
Rico’s Cafe: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a great value. Plus themed menus at various times of the year!
Oaky’s Tavern: Enjoy smokehouse tastes, comfort food & a full bar! Located in Interlochen – a great spot to grab dinner before heading to a concert or performance at Interlochen Arts Academy.
Hofbrau: Even closer to the Arts Academy, the Hofbrau is a beer & steak lovers paradise!
Fresh Coast Market: Grab pizza, sandwiches, and local treats at this full deli and market! Located right across the street from Moomer’s Ice Cream!
Francisco’s: Another great pizza, sandwich, convenience spot & liquor store.
Tacqueria TC Latino: Authentic Mexican cuisine. Simply delicious!
Favorite Traverse City Restaurants
Sleder’s Tavern: Michigan’s oldest continually operating bar + restaurant!
Slabtown Burgers: A small town “fast-food” experience. Indoor & outdoor dining available.
Mary’s Kitchen Port: Home of the famous Gobbler Sandwich and other lunch classics.
Frenchie’s Famous: A small, but hidden gem with incredible breakfast & sandwiches!
Grand Traverse Pie Company: A Traverse City icon, with 2 downtown locations. Breakfast, lunch & delicious baked treats.
Harrington’s by the Bay: Enjoy seafood, steaks, cocktails & more! Located across the street from beautiful West Grand Traverse Bay.
The Burrow: A little something for everyone. Pair with a trip to Buchan’s ice cream next door, and walk through the tunnel to cross the street and watch the sunset at Elmwood Marina & Grelickville Harbor Park! A perfect family outing or date night.
Red Ginger: An Asian fine dining experience in downtown TC. Incredible sushi and more!
Pangea’s Pizza: A fun family-friendly restaurant in Traverse City. Dine indoors or outside on the roof!
Trattoria Stella & Pepenero:: Two fine Italian restaurants located inside the historic Village at Grand Traverse Commons.
Red Spire Brunch House: Also located inside the Commons, this is a Traverse City brunch must!
Outdoor Dining Experiences in Traverse City
The Little Fleet: Drinks, food trucks, entertainment, and atmosphere! This fun place features a full bar and a rotating variety of food trucks in an enclosed courtyard for friends and family to gather. Located right in the heart of downtown TC.
Hop Lot: Located between Traverse City & Sutton’s Bay, the Hop Lot is an outdoor family favorite! Enjoy house craft brews and delicious food while the kids run around and enjoy nature. Firepits and igloos are available during colder months.
Farm Club: Gather in the garden at this farm, restaurant, brewery & marketplace! Enjoy farm-to-table cuisine in a family-friendly atmosphere. Located 7 miles from TC and accessible by the TART trail.
Jacob’s Farm: A fun place to gather, dine, listen to live music, and let the kids play. Check out the impressive corn maze in the fall!
Sweet Treats
Moomer’s Ice Cream: Voted best in America! A Traverse City staple. Grab your ice cream and head outside to the deck to watch the cows roam the pasture, or explore the backfield with a fun play area and covered pavilion. Moomer’s is also available in local grocery stores as well.
Milk & Honey: Local, natural, organic & GMO-free ice cream in the heart of downtown Traverse City! Vegan-friendly options too.
Kilwins: All sorts of chocolates & delightful treats!
Doug Murdick’s Fudge (the original!): A Traverse City icon since 1964, featuring all-natural ingredients.
Potter’s Bakery: The best doughnuts in town! Made fresh daily.
Dairy Lodge: Ice cream! A small, but tasty place for a treat (cash only).
Little Red’s Ice Cream: Located near Rico’s Cafe and just down the road from our lakefront cottages on Silver Lake!
Bud’s of Interlochen: Stop in for breakfast, lunch, or ice cream! Family-friendly and next door to the Interlochen Public Library.
Buchan’s West Bay: Homemade ice cream located across the street from Grelickville Harbor Park and Elmwood Marina.
Wineries in Traverse City
There is no shortage of Traverse City Wineries & Breweries in this food-and-drink-lovers destination! Enjoy a full wine-tasting tour or brewery crawl within 45 minutes of our cottage rentals on Silver Lake!
View all Traverse City Wineries here
Left Foot Charley: Home of the famous Cinnamon Girl Cider, this charming spot is located on the grounds of the Village at Grand Traverse Commons.
Cherry Republic: Enjoy a variety of cherry wines, sodas & snacks at this TC staple! Locations in Traverse City & Glen Arbor. And did we mention free snack samples?!
Taproot Cider House: Enjoy a full food, drink & cider menu at this Traverse City favorite!
Old Mission Peninsula Wineries
The Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail is a breathtaking route for anyone to enjoy – wine connoisseur or not! Picturesque vineyards, nature scapes, and lake views are in abundance on this beautiful and scenic drive.
View all Old Mission Peninsula wineries & trail maps here
Leelanau Peninsula Wineries
Welcome to the #1 Wine Destination in the Midwest! This wine trail includes over 20 award-winning wineries scattered through idyllic towns and rolling terrain.
View all Leelanau Peninsula Wineries & trail maps here
Breweries in Traverse City
Traverse City is a craft brew destination! Enjoy the atmosphere while sipping your pint, or order your growler to go at one of these favorite Traverse City breweries.
View all Traverse City Breweries here
Brewery Terra Firma: Enjoy sustainably produced beers & ciders at this historic farm!
Earthen Ales: Craft brews at a historic and scenic setting located on the grounds of the Village at Grand Traverse Commons.
The Filling Station: Enjoy house-made beers & stone-oven pizza at this charming old train depot setting in TC!
Right Brain Brewery: Brews, food, fun & games make up this funky Traverse City favorite. A great stop along the Boardman Lake Loop Trail.
Traverse City Distilleries
Grand Traverse Distillery: Stop by for a tasting while you shop downtown Traverse City or Leland!
Mammoth Distilling: Join the herd and sip locally crafted spirits at this unique Downtown TC stop.
Iron Fish Distillery: Michigan’s first farm-based distillery with a unique story! Located 35 minutes from our lakefront cottages on Silver Lake.
Northern Latitudes Distillery: Featuring unique products like horseradish vodka, coffee liqueur, and seasonal favorites like plum liqueur and other traditional spirits. Located in the heart of Leelanau County.
View all Traverse City Distilleries & Cocktail Bars here
We hope you enjoy your visit and the unique restaurants in Traverse City and surrounding areas. There is no shortage of Traverse City wineries, breweries, and distilleries to accompany your dining experiences in this wonderful Northern Michigan destination. For more information about our family-run resort and cottage rentals on Silver Lake, visit the Traverse City Vacation Cottage website here!
Need other Traverse City Recommendations? Check out these other articles below:
Things to Do in Traverse City, Michigan
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